Development and validation of a pressure transducer and its electronics for esophageal manometry

This paper reports the development and validation of strain gauge transducers and its readout electronics with the ultimate goal of integration in a commercial endoscopic capsule (EC). The deposition process of strain gauge transducers on a capsule surface, using microfabrication techniques, is described. An electronic circuit is designed, implemented and tested for the amplification of the transducer output signal. Electromechanical tests are performed on a cylindrical tube, which simulates the capsule weight and dimensions, and the obtained results allowed establishing a correlation between the output signal and the stress applied on an EC. These results represent an important step for the implementation of a more advanced capsule manometry system.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - MIT|Portugal Program (SFRH/BD/38978/2007